ITSTOCK's Stock to NOT so stock 03 cobra...

[ITSTOCK]

I bought my 2003 ford mustang Cobra in early 2004. After searching around for a decent deal on a z06, and finally finding one, I took it for a test drive. After a 10 minute drive, my back was done. As fast and cool as the car was, the car just wasn't comfortable. I ditched my search for teh Z06 and tried finding a good deal on an 03 Cobra.

One early saturday morning, I came across a deal that was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. I found an 03 cobra on autotrader for $23,999, with only 600miles. I went to my local 7-11 and picked up the autotrader and found the same car in it, for the same price. I also picked up two of the free papers and found the car there too. I called up the dealer where the car was located at 10:00am that same saturday. I simply asked if the car was still there, and to my surprise, it was :supz: . I told them that I was driving up to buy the car.


I got up there, with the autotrader internet ad printout, the autotrader, and the two free publications in my brothers car. I looked at the car and noticed it said $33,999, which sounded CORRECT. I walked in to the dealer, asked for a salesman, and asked what the hell was going on. I talked to you on the phone and came out here to BUY THE CAR. I told them I wanted it for that price and they had a gaurenteed sale, or I was going to make a big mess out of it (throwing hissy fits does work! LMAO). He talked to his manager and a couple other people. Aftera bout 45 minutes of waiting alone, the salesman walked back out. He tossed me the keys and told me to take it for a test drive.

That was easy enough! I filled out the paper work, and a couple hours after arriving arrived home with this....a 600mile old BONESTOCK 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra...It was an absolute freaking BLAST to drive!!!!


http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6649/mycar3kn0.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6491/mycar2ab5.jpg

But as you can see, it was rather boring looking and not as fast as I wanted it. Regaurdless, I took it to atco and ended up running a 12.6@113, BONE FREAKING STOCK! It was definately MUCH faster than it felt!!! HOWEVER, it wasn't fast ENOUGH.

I ordered a pulley, midpipe, intake, and a bunch of other parts for my first order. The car than ran an 11.6@122 through a stock catback, on the stock eagle f1's!

Shortly after, I was bored of the stupid looking wheels and got some 10th anniversary rims. I needed new tires anyway, so the price was about the same, with new tires already mounted. I made out good once again :screwy:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9687/wax2xu3.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/5917/wax3iq1.jpg

So there I was, a couple of months in to owning the car and I already spent crap loads of money on to what seemed like minimal gains in performance and looks. I decided it NEEDED more power. So, like any other cheap (cough cough SMART cough cough) car owner, I bought nitrous, with ALL the goodies including a progressive controller....I decided to do a CLEAN and somewhat hidden install. You never know....

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2696/nitrousinfender2zo4.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5937/nitrousinfender3sv8.jpg

Yep, that's hidden in the fender...

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/5341/switcheskp0.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/3118/wotfullpicsm2.jpg

And those are the "stock looking" switches for the bottle heater, and activation, followed by the WOT switch hideen beneath the peddle. Everything else, completely hidden :rock:

[347gtvert]

You gonna get into anyting else soon?

[ITSTOCK]

I shortly found out that my car looked like a 4x4. I needed to LOWER it. So, like any car owner would do that wanted a good stance, I changed around suspension and lowered my car. I also added full length subframe connectors.

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2873/lowered2ze0.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/6967/lowered4jr0.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5923/lowered7df9.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2803/lowered8nh9.jpg


After spraying the car a BUNCH of times, I realized that that NOS noids and lines weren't big enough for my 185 shot. I bought a stage 6 NX solenoid and all of the upgraded lines and nozzles.

The results???

http://videos.streetfire.net/search/itstock/0/8b9c8c48-94fc-4b88-9a7c-981700fc7bad.htm

663rwhp/803rwtq, which made it literally the highest rwhp STOCK UNported blower 03 cobra.

The car didn't hook at all on the drag radials, so I bought a new set of wheels/tires....Centerline Telstars with et streets out back...

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/2575/badass1kh0.jpg

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/8739/badass5wf7.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2526/badass6tf9.jpg



After getting it ready for the track, everyone told me to "LAUNCH EASY". I have a hard head, brought the RPM's up to 4800rpms, and dropped the clutch with a straight 185 shot of nitrous (that's 803rwtq going through the stock rear)...

Yea yea, "You dumby!!!"

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/28/23001rx2.jpg

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/5640/23004td9.jpg

I ended up breaking both half shafts and the center section. It was time to get the IRS brace to help avoid this, so I did.

[ITSTOCK]

Well I kept the car on the street, and as a weekend driver. Driving on slicks got old REAL fast, so I sold them, and kept the 10th anni. wheels on. I also stopped using nitrous and was having enough fun without it! HOWEVER, it wasn't enough fun! I shortly after bought a ported blower.

I took the car to atco and ran an 11.4@126 on blower only. I was EXTREMELY pleased with that!!!! The car ran it's ass off, and other than 5 total clutches, I didn't have ANY problems with the car.

HOWEVER, even though I don't consider them problems, EVERY time I stepped in to the car I found myself being worried that there was a new "noise", creek, or rattle. I stopped driving the car and bought what everyone calls a "mini-van", my BMW X5. I literally stopped driving the car, and didn't drive it for a couple months. I had the car up for sale on numerous sites, but never TRIED selling it. I put it in to autotrader FINALLY, and after 4 days, I had about 50 calls. The first one that called had dibs, and ended up buying her.

So that's my story!! If ANYONE wants to buy an 03/4 cobra, GO FOR IT!!!!!! They are BADASS, RELIABLE, and FUN. I have no regrets about the car, other than losing interest in it. I have NOTHING bad to say about them (other than what can be said of most all domestic cars, which is the fit/finish quality). The new owner already has a single 88mm turbo kit on the way. I had already installed all of the nec. fuel system parts for it to handle the turbo, so all he has to do is upgrade the halfshafts. I talked to him last week, and he said he ordered DSS level 5 half shafts.

I will stick by saying that the 03 cobra motor is ONE OF, the BADDEST factory longblocks in existance and WILL go down in fame just like the supra's!!!

[ITSTOCK]

You gonna get into anyting else soon?

Nope. I'm saving to build my dream home, looking to start construction in another 4-5 years. After that's all done with, I will buy another car to toy around with, hopefully a new(er) 911 turbo. The quad hobby that I now have takes place of the thrills (and far surpasses) that cars used to give me. :rock:

[347gtvert]

a dream home lol. you sound like a chick w/ your little story about your car and your dreams. sorry, but your car is just another cobra.

good luck w/ your goals.

[ITSTOCK]

a dream home lol. you sound like a chick w/ your little story about your car and your dreams. sorry, but your car is just another cobra.

good luck w/ your goals.

It is just another cobra, that's what makes them so damn cool! Not many cars can you say a 600+rwhp car is just like the rest of them :supz:

And I am like a girl, I've been working on my "dream home" for the past 3 years now :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I'm a picky little bastard, and after seeing what some contractors do, there is NO WAY I could EVER move in to a house that I didn't personally watch every step. :thumbup:

[347gtvert]

just bustin man. I agree totally about other contractors. seriously good luck. car was badass

[minime]

so wait a second you bought a 600 mile old 03 cobra for $24k? Please tell me you met somewhere in the middle on the price, because that is rediculous.

[lagos]

im not normally a fan of domestics, but thats a pretty nice car you got there. good power too.

[sleeperstyle]

had the SAME thing happen with my green formula. advertised at $10,900 on autotrader. showed up at the dealership and they pulled up kbb and it said $12,900. told the sales guy to pull the ad up, and sure enough after the manager came out and all of that jazz i ended up getting the car for $10,200:lol: not as good as your deal but same schenario!

have fun with the house. can't race a house, but you can't live in a car. which is more important?:finga:

could've SWORN you told me you got a clean pass on the hit (?) not gonna say the time i thought you told me but it was ALOT faster than 11.40 run on blower. dunno maybe im mistaken.

[PA Z06]

Cool story, and let me start by saying im a huge 03/04 cobra fan, almost bought one before the Z06. I am surprised that you say the z06s seats were not comfy, I pulled my drivers seat, not because of comfort but because i would slide around in the car while driveing aggressive. My sparco is the best mod to my z so far.
Good luck with your dream home.

[HunterSnake]

so wait a second you bought a 600 mile old 03 cobra for $24k? Please tell me you met somewhere in the middle on the price, because that is rediculous.
You think $24k is a lot for an '03 Cobra with 600 miles?

[minime]

no I think it's rediculously cheap. that's why I'm asking if they met halfway between 24k and 34k.

[peteyturbo]

One of my fav cars on theese forums..Well, was, anyway:)

[ITSTOCK]

im not normally a fan of domestics, but thats a pretty nice car you got there. good power too.

Not a fan of domestics??? WHY??? Is your car more reliable? Less rattles? More power? Better handling? I don't care if you think it's a nice car, but your car is just as much, or MORE of a piece of **** than domestics.


For the rest of you, thanks for the comments. Like I said, 03/4 cobra's are literally the BEST mustang EVER made. Considering you can get a used one now for in the very low $20,000's, they are probably one of the biggest (ALL AROUND) performance cars you can get. 9's on the stock LONGblock isn't uncommon at all anymore. They still handle decent, have awesome interiors, and can look straight up badass! I, again, would rec. the car to anyone. The supra's are double the price right now and it's the only car comparable to it! (other than the pesky LS1's)

[peteyturbo]

Easy there fella..I have driven plent of mustangs and will have to disagree with you on that one..Domestic build quality specifically the mustang is lacking to say the least, but it also has it's strengths..I would take a 94 celica all trac over a 94 mustang GT anyday of the week..Not a fan of domestics??? WHY??? Is your car more reliable? Less rattles? More power? Better handling? I don't care if you think it's a nice car, but your car is just as much, or MORE of a piece of **** than domestics.


For the rest of you, thanks for the comments. Like I said, 03/4 cobra's are literally the BEST mustang EVER made. Considering you can get a used one now for in the very low $20,000's, they are probably one of the biggest (ALL AROUND) performance cars you can get. 9's on the stock LONGblock isn't uncommon at all anymore. They still handle decent, have awesome interiors, and can look straight up badass! I, again, would rec. the car to anyone. The supra's are double the price right now and it's the only car comparable to it! (other than the pesky LS1's)

[ITSTOCK]

Easy there fella..I have driven plent of mustangs and will have to disagree with you on that one..Domestic build quality specifically the mustang is lacking to say the least, but it also has it's strengths..I would take a 94 celica all trac over a 94 mustang GT anyday of the week..


I wouldn't take either. And I have been in celicas, and they are just as junky year for year. Anyway, I asked why lagos wasn't a fan of domestics.

[CleanNeon98]

nice car. makes me want one now

[vr6exy]

my bf drives an 03 mineral gray cobra at the track, ran 10.99 last week at island with the stock blower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWNQNOwf7OM


i love these cars!

[lagos]

Not a fan of domestics??? WHY??? Is your car more reliable? Less rattles? More power? Better handling? I don't care if you think it's a nice car, but your car is just as much, or MORE of a piece of **** than domestics.


you realize that i was trying to compliment you on your car, right? im not normally a fan of domestics, just like your normally not a fan of imports. its just a different style of car. some people like one or the other. but i never said they were worthless pieces of sh1t. thanks for saying it about my car tho. its the first time ive ever seen anyone call a turbocharged toyota a piece of sh1t.

[ITSTOCK]

you realize that i was trying to compliment you on your car, right? im not normally a fan of domestics, just like your normally not a fan of imports. its just a different style of car. some people like one or the other. but i never said they were worthless pieces of sh1t. thanks for saying it about my car tho. its the first time ive ever seen anyone call a turbocharged toyota a piece of sh1t.

Yes, I understand that, but any time someone throws in a "not a fan of domestics" or "not a fan of imports", it just shows lots of ignorance. I don't think I have ever generalized a statement by saying that "I'm not a fan of imports". As for calling your car a piece of ****, I was referring it to a comparison of a domestic car. If one is considered junk, the next is considered the same.

Also, I have seen PLENTY of turbocharged toyotas called pieces of ****, just as I have seen plenty of turbo fox bodies called pieces of ****. I hardly see how that relates.

So I'll ask again, why aren't you a fan of domestics?

[vr6exy]

hey, i never liked the newer mustangs until i was introduced to the cobra, and i drove a gt. everybody has their opinions... i hated japanese cars too at one time, but i can't say that anymore.

[ITSTOCK]

I think the newest mustangs are absolutely horrific looking. However, they are a million times more comfortable to drive, and have a MUCH better quality than previous years. As to the cobra, it's the only SN95 style that I like. I still think that the fox body notches are the best looking mustangs there are.

[347gtvert]

10.99s is quick for a bolt on cobra, he still have IRS

[sleeperstyle]

independent rear suspension (irs).

let's not mess up itstock's thread asking her questions about another cobra

start another thread or something

[347gtvert]

independent rear suspension (irs).

let's not mess up itstock's thread asking her questions about another cobra

start another thread or something

EDIT

Sorry sleeperstyle.

[ITSTOCK]

It's alright, I don't mind thread hi-jacks, even in my own thread. Everyone was talking about cobra's though, so we were pretty good with staying somewhat on topic.

[lagos]

Also, I have seen PLENTY of turbocharged toyotas called pieces of ****,

like what ones? that crappy twin turbo supra they came out with? lol

So I'll ask again, why aren't you a fan of domestics?

not a fan of domestics because of the large size of the cars, build quailty issues, handling, general styling of the cars, lack of factory turbo options, very heavy curb weight, etc...

[ITSTOCK]

like what ones? that crappy twin turbo supra they came out with? lol



not a fan of domestics because of the large size of the cars, build quailty issues, handling, general styling of the cars, lack of factory turbo options, very heavy curb weight, etc...

You can put a turbo in anything. A lot of people would consider a celica a huge piece of ****. I don't know much about them, so I will refrain from comments. I do know that your car with 230rwhp on 13psi shouldn't be used in the same sentence as turbo supra. You can put a turbo in a 1986 4 banger mustang that's rusted to ****, and I would definately call that, well, a crappy car. You can also put a turbo in a 1990 celica that's rusted to ****, and again, crappy car. Get it???? Just because it has a turbo does not = nice (maybe in the too fast too furious world it does).

Not a fan of domestics because of the large size??? That crappy thing (not crappy at all actually, but purpose word) they call a Supra is heavier than any mustang ever built up to the 2003 Cobra's. Handling?? I forgot, all imports handle better than any domestics :confused: Lack of factory turbo options???? Hmm, buick did that a long time ago. Build quality issues?? They all have build quality issues. General styling??? You just stated that you liked the CObra. So again, you are making a HUGE generalization when you say you aren't a fan of domestics. You have no valid points on anything that you stated, other than a lot of the domestic cars don't have an option of coming with a turbo :screwy: :screwy: :screwy: :screwy: . I didn't think that the majority of imports had that option either, but what do I know. :furious:

In the reverse words of Troll...

"You are the kind of ignorant person that gives IMPORT owners a bad reputation."

Congrats :thumbup: LMAO I

[lagos]

you must get a lot of crap for driving a domestic from other people you know, and your taking it out on me for some reason. all i said was that domestics are not my cup of tea, but that i liked what you had done with yours because of the power you were putting out. thats it. then you went on to tell me about how my car was crap for some reason. i do all my own work on the car, and have more then doubled the hp the car started out with, so i kind of find that insulting.

for the most part, all domestic sports cars are, large, rwd, v8, and supercharged. while import sports cars are smaller, fwd or awd, 4cyl and turbocharged. there are always going to be groups of people who like one or the other. ive yet to meet a domestic owner that really loved imports, or an import guy that really loved domestics. its just the way it is.

having said that, good luck with your car. this debate could go on forever, so im just going to stop right here before some BMW owner jumps in and starts to tell us about all the benefits of german cars.

[ITSTOCK]

you must get a lot of crap for driving a domestic from other people you know,


LMAO, nope. I honestly don't think there was one person that had bad things to say about my car.

and your taking it out on me for some reason.

I wanted to know if you actually had a problem with domestics, which I guess you really don't.

all i said was that domestics are not my cup of tea

And all I did was ask why.

for the most part, all domestic sports cars are, large, rwd, v8, and supercharged. while import sports cars are smaller, fwd or awd, 4cyl and turbocharged.

I would say that the majority of the cars on this board are domestics, 4 cylinders, and have turbos. They are also either AWD or FWD.

there are always going to be groups of people who like one or the other. ive yet to meet a domestic owner that really loved imports, or an import guy that really loved domestics. its just the way it is.

You must not get out a lot.

having said that, good luck with your car. this debate could go on forever, so im just going to stop right here before some BMW owner jumps in and starts to tell us about all the benefits of german cars.

I am a BMW owner :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: . But thanks.

[SeMaxima99]

I dont mean to get in the argument at all but i kinda want to.
First off i love your car and have the most respect for Cobras everytime i see one a drool because i am jealous. Other then that i dont like mustangs unless they are the rousch/saleen or im sure there are other ones just cant think of them. I dont have much likes for the GTs i dont know why i am just not a fan. The new ones i like the looks but hate the interior i just think they over did the plastic and did not want to take the time on them. Fords overall in general i just dont like. Except the trucks gotta love them.

I used to sell Lincoln Mercury and i just hated fords thought with how they take the same exact car and just throw another company name and try to charge more. I know the imports do it too, Lexus and toyota you know the rest. But it just appeals to me that they put more into their luxury brand. Better quaility parts and usually different engines but not all the time. But most import luxury brands you can not just look at it and make every part connection with the lower brand car that could come close as a counterpart. Only reason that i dont like ford too much.

I am an import driver but have more respect for performance from domestics then i might ever have for imports. I just like the less expensive insurance since i am only 20. My friends all have domestic performance cars and i love the sound love the power. It just seems that more often then not the domestic cars have a lot more balls then imports have and since we are in the States you do get a better look from the older muscle car guys if you are at a show with a big liter engine and huge amounts of tq. Sure the engines i believe are kind of inefficient and i think that they should put out more power but its mostly just factory restrictions that hold them back. For example i have heard that a CAI on a cobra give gains of over 25whp thats just nuts for an intake.

This was just my 2 cents i tried to keep it as non bashful to anyone and as more of an adult argument as i could.

The cobra is one of my favorite cars and the blowers whine makes me jealous because my sc'er doesnt whine and give almost instant peak boost like the roots style.

[vr6exy]

ive yet to meet a domestic owner that really loved imports, or an import guy that really loved domestics. its just the way it is.

my bf was a domestic owner and had a supra, and now drives a stock 06 civic coupe so he likes both. i drive a volkswagen, and a beat chevy and i love both. i know a lot of people who like both. lol.

[vr6exy]

like what ones? that crappy twin turbo supra they came out with? lol

i hope you were being sarcastic. you do drive a celica.

[347gtvert]

I love fords and chevys. Also drool over Vdubs. Also saw a nice lexus sc430, slammed on nice BBS wheels, looked better than the 350z and g35.

I dont think there should be classification. Just preference.

[lagos]

i hope you were being sarcastic. you do drive a celica.

yes i was. it was ment as a joke, since he said that hes seen lots of people call turbo toyota's a POS. i thought it was funny, seeing as how toyota made one of the best turbo cars ever built (the supra).

anyway, im staying out of this. just wanted to clear that part up.

[96s14]

No matter how you look at it, it is a fast badass car. That is one of my dream cars.